2006 Tour de France - Stage 13

Today is the longest stage. It would take me a month to finish it. There are a few racers who squirt off the front but nothing develops until Voigt, Pereiro, Chavanel, Quinziato, and Grivko formalize a break. Floyd has nothing to worry about as he has nearly 29 minutes on the closest guy.

This seems to be the ?I don?t care what happens stage?. The leaders are creating a pretty big hole between them and the peloton. The response from team Phonak is?who cares! The response form other teams?who cares!

Wow, the hole is 28 minutes and change. I think the boys in the peloton (other than Phonak) are starting to get a bit edgy. But then again, who cares! If only George was in the break. Now that would keep me from falling asleep today.

Now there?s an attack but it comes within the lead group. Still, nobody else cares. Grivko blew himself up after instigating the attack and pays the price by dropping off. Chavanel and Quinziato then attack but guess what, they can?t sustain and fall back. Guess they didn?t learn anything from Grivko. The fight is left to Voigt and Pereiro. Voigt makes his move for the stage win and Pereiro?s desperation brings him back to Jens. They exchange pleasantries and jovial conversation. I?m sure the discussion was something like, OK Jens, you can have the stage and I?ll take yellow.

So, there he goes, Jens ?the Volkswagen? Voigt wins! Nice going for CSC.

Floyd has given up yellow as planned. The word of the day for team Phonak is ?rest?. I think that word will be with them until Tuesday.  

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